By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, August 7, 2026 - The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has revealed fresh details in the murder of psychologist Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, describing the killing as a carefully orchestrated assassination allegedly motivated by a long-running land dispute and involving both civilians and rogue police officers.
In a detailed investigative update released on Friday, DCI Director Mohamed Amin said detectives have established that Dr Mutiso's murder was meticulously planned and executed following a dispute over ownership of a parcel of land in Mlolongo, Athi River Sub-County.
According to the DCI, Dr Mutiso had lodged a caveat on Land Reference No. 1504/13, a move investigators believe threatened the interests of individuals claiming ownership of the property.
"Investigations have established that the elimination of Dr Mutiso was driven by a longstanding land civil dispute," Amin said.
The statement identifies Rose Mbithe Mulwa, the former wife of Dr Mutiso's husband, Prof David Musyimi Ndetei, and her son Christopher Mulwa (Chris Mulwa) as the alleged organisers and financiers of the conspiracy.
Investigators said evidence gathered so far points to the pair playing a central role in conceptualising, directing and financing the operation that culminated in Dr Mutiso's death.
The DCI confirmed that the two remain in custody after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions successfully obtained orders allowing detectives 21 days to complete investigations.
The latest findings also shed light on how the attack unfolded.
According to investigators, Dr Mutiso was travelling to work on the morning of July 29 when the Uber vehicle she was using was blocked by a Toyota Prado in Nairobi's Upper Hill area. A gunman seated on the rear left side allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting her. Although the driver rushed her to Kenyatta National Hospital, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The DCI said forensic analysis, CCTV footage and intelligence-led investigations quickly identified two key suspects, Daniel Mwangi Njoroge and Kelvin Ngugi Kinuthia, who allegedly coordinated the operation.
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Investigators established that Njoroge organised the logistics, including hiring two Toyota Prado vehicles used to block the victim's vehicle and transport members of the execution team. Tracking data and CCTV footage reportedly placed both vehicles at the scene.
In an earlier briefing, the DCI also disclosed that a police officer had been arrested in connection with the shooting, while detectives are pursuing a police inspector attached to Nderu Police Station. Ballistic analysis linked the firearm recovered from the arrested officer to the fugitive inspector, whom investigators believe connected the financiers to the gunmen.
The investigation further revealed that Dr Mutiso had survived an earlier suspected assassination attempt.
On July 7, two men riding a motorcycle allegedly pointed a gun at her while she was driving near Junction Mall along Ngong Road. Although she reported the incident at Kilimani Police Station, investigators said she never proceeded to Riruta Police Station to record a formal statement.
The DCI also disclosed that investigators are pursuing leads suggesting some of the suspects in Dr Mutiso's murder could be linked to the drive-by shooting of lawyer Kyalo Mbobu along Magadi Road in September 2025.
Amin said the investigation remains active and that detectives are pursuing everyone believed to have played a role in the murder, including financiers, organisers, suppliers of the firearm, shooters, riders and anyone who may have attempted to obstruct the investigation.
"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations will stop at nothing to ensure that justice is fully served. No one, regardless of status, uniform or influence, is above the law," Amin said.
He appealed to members of the public with information that could assist the investigation to come forward through official DCI channels, assuring them that all information would be treated with strict confidence.